Device for displacing translationally displaceable components in motor vehicles

ABSTRACT

A drive device (2) for translatory displaceable component parts in motor vehicles, more particularly for window regulators or sliding roofs is connected by an axis (6) to a base part (1) which consists of a part of the translatory displaceable component part (1). The drive device is supported for swivel movement about the axial centre point and elastically relative the base part (1).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for adjusting translatory displaceablecomponent parts in motor vehicles, more particularly window regulators,sliding roofs and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A device of this kind is known from European Patent EP 0 208 237 B1. Itconsists of a combination of a window pane of a motor vehicle with apane entrainment member, which connects the window pane to a guidedevice and is connected by a cable or guide pulleys to a locally fixeddrive unit for the translatory adjustment of the window pane. Theconnection between the entrainment member and the window pane isprovided by a through hole in the window pane and by a pin connected tothe entrainment member and pushed through the hole. Support andsecondary wings are provided on the entrainment member to guide thewindow pane and extend from the entrainment member to the surfaces ofthe window pane. The lower edge of the window pane rests on elasticallydeformable elements of the entrainment member in order to producefreedom of play and avoid rattling noises between the entrainment memberand window pane.

Devices for adjusting translatory displaceable component parts in motorvehicles are normally screwed, riveted or partially welded with guiderails on base plates, inner door panels or body parts of a motorvehicle. Fixing the drive devices on the relevant base part thusrequires a certain number of fixing elements predetermined by the staticconditions and which have to be attached in several work steps andremoved again should any repair become necessary. Apart from theadditional individual parts the fixing of the drive devices on the baseparts requires extra technological process steps which need assemblytime and thus incur additional costs.

In order to reduce the load on parts of the drive device, such as thedrive motor or the cable of a cable window regulator system, dampingsare required during the switching processes, which become active uponreaching a stop and either absorb load peaks or dampen dynamic loadpeaks. This damping of the system has basically taken place inside thegearing of the drive device, such as in the form of keyed lockingdamping chambers in the worm wheel of the gearing of the drive device.Between the entrainment member and the worm wheel are radial dampingrubbers which produce a deliberate energy conversion through rollingwork in dependence on torque and thus absorb dynamic load peaks.

The damping elements mounted inside the gearing housing require anadditional amount of gearing space and thus either reduce the effectiveguide length of the worm wheel and the entrainment member on the fixedaxis, or lead to an increase in the outer dimensions of the gearinghousing and the drive device. Moreover, when loaded, poor toothedengagement ratios and undesired axial expansion of the rubber damperresult so that there is the threat of premature wear and the risk of afunctional breakdown. Furthermore the degree of efficiency of the drivedevice is impaired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a drive device fortranslatory displaceable component parts in motor vehicles which allowssimple assembly and dismantling of the device within a minimum time andalso allows damping of the drive system without a negative effect on thegearing elements.

The solution according to the invention clearly shortens the assemblyand dismantling process for the drive device and requires substantiallyfewer individual parts for fixing the drive device or for connecting itwith the translatory displaceable component. Moving the damping of thedrive system outside of the structural gear chamber provides acost-effective damping and a flatter construction of the drive device.This flatter construction allows a more rigid ribbing of the worm wheel,and improves the guide length on the axis as well as an acousticuncoupling of the drive device from the base part for taking up thetranslatory displaceable component or from the translatory displaceablecomponent with an assembly-friendly arrangement of the relevant dampingelements.

The solution according to the invention can be used both for stationarystructural elements of the translatory displaceable component or astructural element for receiving the translatory displaceable componentpart and for movable structural elements of the translatory displaceablecomponent part. In both cases there are advantages of a simplified andcost-reduced assembly and dismantling as well as optimum damping of thedrive system while keeping a small structural size as well as maximumstability of the drive device and reducing the transfer of drive noisesto body parts and/or the translatory displaceable component parts.

The base part can consist of a stationary or movable structural elementof the translatory displaceable component part or device for receivingthe translatory displaceable component part. In the event of astationary structural element, the base part has several recesses orpassages for receiving the axis as well as fixing elements of the drivedevice and damping elements. In the event of a movable structuralelement, the base part is displaceable through the drive device oppositethe stationary structural elements of the component part or device forreceiving the component part, has a bore for receiving the axis and isconnected to the drive device through a damping device, orspring-elastic supporting points. The spring-elastic supporting pointsbeing fixing brackets with inserted rubber form elements.

The adjustment device known from European Patent EP 0 208 237 B1 has,unlike the object of the present invention, no drive device, but isconnected to a force transfer element in the form of a cable so thatonly correspondingly aligned translatory forces come into effect. Sinceno torque load can occur, there is also no swivelling of the entrainmentmember about the axis through the hole in the window pane as a result ofthe reaction forces during rotational movement of the drive device inone or another direction. The connection serves only to connect theentrainment member to the window pane. The resilient bearing of theentrainment member, for holding the lower edge of the window pane,thereby serves solely to compensate the relative movements between thewindow pane and the entrainment member, in order to compensate in thisway the tolerances between the entrainment member and window pane.

An advantage of the design according to the present invention is thatthe gearing housing of the drive device has an axially extending ringcollar -and several mutually radially spaced fixing and damping elementsarranged outside of the swivel axis of the ring collar and gearinghousing.

As well as further facilitating assembly, a fixing and damping of thesystem is provided adapted to each requirement so that the drive deviceis uncoupled cost-effectively from the supporting structural element.

For an additional reinforcement of the system, the fixing means and thedevices on the stationary structural element for receiving the fixingmeans are matched geometrically to each other.

The fixing elements can consist of cap or ball bolts which can be pushedthrough the recesses in the stationary structural element which areadapted to the diameter of the bolt heads. By turning the drive device,the fixing elements can be inserted into radially aligned recessesadapted to the diameter of the bolt pins, wherein the drive device canbe secured against turning in the operating position by means of thedamping elements.

With a direct connection of the drive device with the movable structuralelement of the translatory displaceable component part, the movablestructural element preferably has a bore for receiving a fixing boltwhich is connected or connectable with the drive device, and at leastone, but preferably two, support points mounted on either side of thebore for receiving the damping elements.

This design according to the invention produces an advantageousintegration of the movable structural element and the drive device whichcan be mounted with common protection. In the case of a window regulatorintegrated in a vehicle door, when the door is slammed or when lateralforce components are brought into effect, the drive motor is preventedfrom turning about its transverse axis while at the same time thedamping elements protect the window pane and the motor against damage.Additionally, in the case of two pretensioned damping elements,compensation is made for tolerances of the bore for receiving the fixingbolt connected or connectable to the drive device.

A further development of the design according to the invention is thatthe gearing of the drive device is constructed in two stages. Throughthe two stage design an extremely flat and narrow (minimum height) drivedevice is provided which can be mounted with particular advantage innarrow structural chambers.

A further advantageous design is that the output of the drive device isdesigned as a hollow shaft with keyed locking elements so that the drivedevice can be connected on both end sides with a pinion or a cable drumfor driving the translatory displaceable component part and can thus befitted universally. When used for a window regulator, it is no longernecessary to provide separate left and right designs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The idea underlying the invention will now be explained with referenceto the embodiments shown in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a cable window regulator withdrive device fixed on the window pane;

FIG. 2 is a detailed illustration of the drive device and its connectionwith a window pane corresponding to the diagrammatic illustrationaccording to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the damping device along the lineA--A according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view of the damping device in the direction of arrow Xaccording to FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a drive device with fixing and damping elementsfor connection with a stationary structural element;

FIG. 6 is a section along line B--B in the arrangement according to FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through an inner door panel ordoor module for receiving a drive device; and

FIG. 8 is a partial view of the fixing device for connecting the drivedevice with an inner door panel or door module according to FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The diagrammatic illustration according to FIG. 1 shows a cable windowregulator with a window pane 1 on which is fixed a drive device 2. Thedrive device 2 is part of an entrainment member preferably guided in apane guide device and is connected to a cable 7 for translatorydisplacement of the unit comprising the window pane 1 and drive device2. The cable 7 is fixed on an upper and lower cable mounting wherein acable length compensator 70 is provided in the area of the lower cablemounting. The connection between the window pane 1 and drive device 2 isprovided by a pane binding which consists of an axis 6 and a bore 10provided in the window pane 1 for receiving the axis 6 (fixing bolt).The drive device 2 can swivel about this pane binding 6,10 in thedirection of arrow C.

On each side of the pane binding 6,10 there are fixing brackets 41, 42for stabilizing the sides and damping the arrangement when externalforces act on the cable window regulator, in which rubber form elements51,52 are inserted, and the lower edge 100 of the window pane 1 isinserted when the drive device 2 is fixed.

The connection of the drive device 2 with the cable 7 is provided by acable drum 28 in a known way. As an alternative to the arrangement of acable window regulator diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1, theprinciple of fixing the drive device 2 on the window pane 1 can also beused with a cross-arm window regulator or a window regulator with keyedforce transfer elements which are fixed in the door body.

FIGS. 2-4 show in greater detail, the various features of thediagrammatic illustration according to FIG. 1.

The drive device 2 contains a drive motor 21 and a gearing 22 which hasthe drive worm 23 connected to the motor shaft, as well as two steppedgear wheels 24, 25 for a two-step gearing which consists of a worm wheelmeshing with the drive worm 23 with pinion 24 and gearwheel 25. By meansof a keyed locking element 29 an output element (pinion) can be clippedonto the axis of the gear wheel 25 which is connected with force and/orkeyed engagement to the cable 7 or gear rod so that with clockwise orcounter-clockwise running of the motor the drive device 2 is moved up ordown together with the window pane 1. Since the output element can beclipped onto either side of the gearing, it is possible to use thedevice described both for a right hand and left hand arrangement.

The connection of the window pane 1 with the drive device 2 takes placethrough a fixing eye 26 located on the gearing housing and through whichthe drive device is fixed with keyed engagement in a bore 10 of thewindow pane 1. Fixing is through an axis 6 which is preferably designedas a plastic bolt so that the drive device 2 can turn slightly about thepane binding 6,10.

On either side of the pane binding 6,10 are damping devices whichconsist of fixing brackets 41, 42 with inserted rubber form elements 51,52. The lower edge 100 of the pane is inserted in these fixing brackets41, 42 so that the supporting points 101, 102 of the lower edge 100 ofthe pane rest on the rubber form elements 51, 52, which according to thegeometry and Shore hardness of the rubber elements 51, 52 restrict thedamped turning movement of the drive device 2 about the pane binding6,10. Such movement of the drive device 2 about the pane binding 6,10results from the fact that with clockwise or counter-clockwise runningof the drive motor 22 of the gearing block through the cable forcesabout the pane binding 6,10, a torque is produced whereby the turningangle is dependent on the geometry and Shore hardness of the rubber formelements 51,52.

The window pane thereby always adjoins the flank of the rubber elements51,52 so that when the door is slammed or when lateral force componentsare present the drive motor 21 cannot turn about its transverse axis. Atthe same time the rubber elements 51,52 protect the window pane anddrive motor 21 from damage when the door is slammed.

Also, the construction of a two-stage gearing provides an extremely flatand narrow motor and gear block which can be fixed with keyed engagementin the pane bore 10 at the center of gravity of the system through thefixing eye 26 located on the gearing housing.

FIGS. 5-8 show in plan view, side view, longitudinal cross-section andpartial section a drive device which can be connected to a stationarystructural element, more particularly to a base plate or an inner doorpanel or door module for a window regulator drive device. To this end,the gearing housing 20 has a ring collar 61 which, according to FIG. 7,can be snugly inserted into a passage 30 in a base plate or door module3. A cable drum or pinion for operating the translatory displaceablecomponent part can be fixed on the axis 60 of the gearing housing 20while the drive is produced through a drive motor 21 and gearing 22according to FIGS. 5 and 6.

Cap or ball bolts 13, 14, 15 are mounted further outside the swivel axis60 of the gearing housing 20 and can be inserted into recesses 33,according to FIG. 8, in the base plate or in the inner door panel ordoor module 3 for receiving the drive device. The diameter of therecesses 33 corresponds to the diameter of the bolt heads of the cap orball bolts 13, 14, 15 so that they can be pushed through the base plate,inner door panel or door module 3. As a result of the centering of thegearing housing 20 by means of the ring collar 61, an accurate positionfixing is achieved for the drive device comprising drive motor 21 andgearing 22. After this position fixing, the gearing housing 20 is turnedinto the operating position so that the bolt heads of the cap or ballbolt 13, 14, 15 come to rest on the outer face of the base plate, innerdoor panel or door module 3 while the bolt pins are pushed through thecorresponding recesses 34 (FIG. 8).

The gearing housing 20 furthermore has damping elements 16, 17 whichengage with damping elements 18, 19 which can be inserted in the baseplate, inner door panel or door module 3. After the drive device hasbeen inserted in the recesses or passages 30, 33, 34 on the base plate,inner door panel or door module 3 and turned into the operatingposition, the drive device is secured with the damping elements 16, 17,18, 19 against rotations which do not extend over the prescribed extentof the damping rate. The drive device is thereby turned under load amaximum of ±5° about the swivel axis 60 wherein the pretension of thedamping elements 16, 17, 18, 19 and their Shore hardness determine thedesired turning angle and thus the damping rate. In this way the drivedevice can move softly into the stops without the axial distance beingaltered when using a toothed segment window regulator as the translatorydisplaceable component part.

The cap or ball bolts 13, 14, 15 are preferably mounted in swages in theinner door panel, the base plate or door module wherein rubber discs 11,12 for acoustic uncoupling are insertable in the indentations of theswages so that a transfer of drive noises to the relevant stationarystructural element is minimized.

Instead of cap or ball bolts, other geometric forms of these fixingelements are also possible wherein preferably the insert face of thefixing element in the stationary structural element is designed as acorresponding counter shape so that an additional reinforcement of theoverall arrangement is achieved.

As a result of the arrangement according to the invention, the drivedevice can easily be fitted or clipped and contacted from inside oroutside onto a base plate, inner door panel or door module. Fitting anddismantling is thereby possible in a minimum amount of time. The drivedevice can be mounted selectively in a dry or wet space.

Plastic parts can be inserted in order to improve the sliding action inthe necessary turning angle range . Also, rubber discs are possible witha corresponding Shore hardness for additional noise reduction. Therubber discs or intermediate layers of rubber 11,12 cost-effectivelyuncouple the drive device from the inner door panel, base plate and doormodule. The rubber elements 18, 19 which define the turning angle can bepushed or inserted with ease into the damping chambers which are locatedin the inner door panel area.

I claim:
 1. Device for adjusting translatory displaceable componentparts in motor vehicles, wherein the translatory displaceable componentpart has a bore for receiving a connecting part of an entrainment deviceand fixing or support elements; andwherein elastic elements support thetranslatory displaceable component part on the entrainment device;wherein the entrainment device comprises a drive device for adjustingthe translatory displaceable component part, wherein the drive device isconnected by an axis to the translatory displaceable component part andis supported elastically relative to the translatory displaceablecomponent part and is capable of swivel movement about an axial centerpoint, defining therein a swivel axis; and wherein the elastic elements,after assembly of the translatory displaceable component part, stillretain sufficient deformability so that a predefined damping effect canbe achieved through swivel movement about the swivel axis.
 2. Deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the translatory displaceable component partcomprises several recesses or passages for receiving the axis and fixingelements of the drive device.
 3. Device according to claim 2, wherein agearing housing of the drive device has an axially extending ring collarand several radially spaced fixing and damping elements set outside ofthe swivel axis of the ring collar and gearing housing.
 4. Deviceaccording to claim 3 wherein the fixing means and the devices on thetranslatory displaceable component part for receiving the fixing meansare matched geometrically to each other.
 5. Device according to claim 4wherein the fixing elements consist of bolts with cap or ball shapedheads which can be inserted through bores of the translatorydisplaceable component part adapted to the diameter of the bolt headsand by turning of the drive device can be inserted into radially alignedrecesses adapted to the diameter of the bolt pins, and that the drivedevice can be secured against turning in the operating position by meansof the damping elements.
 6. Device according to claim 3 wherein thedamping elements are pretensioned.
 7. Device according to claim 1wherein the translatory displaceable component part is connected to thedrive device through at least one spring-elastic supporting point. 8.Device according to claim 7 wherein a fixing bolt connected orconnectable with the drive device is fitted through the bore of thetranslatory displaceable component part, wherein on either side of thebore are supporting points for mounting the damping elements.
 9. Deviceaccording to claim 8 wherein the supporting points are provided on alower edge of a window pane and are mounted with keyed engagement infixing brackets which are connected to the drive device with elasticshaped elements inserted or injected therein as damping elements. 10.Device according to claim 1 wherein the drive device has a two-stagegear construction.
 11. Device according to claim 10 wherein an output ofthe drive device is designed as a hollow shaft with form-lockingelements so that the drive device is connectable on both end sides witha pinion or a cable drum for driving the translatory displaceablecomponent part.
 12. A device for adjusting a translatory displaceablecomponent part in a motor vehicle, the translatory displaceablecomponent part having a bore, the device comprising:an entrainmentdevice having a drive device for adjusting the translatory displaceablecomponent part and a connecting part for coupling the translatorydisplaceable component part to the entrainment device at an axial centerpoint, wherein the connecting part adjusts for receipt into the bore ofthe translatory displaceable component part; elastic elements supportingthe translatory displaceable component part on the entrainment device,wherein the drive device is adapted for swivel movement about the axialcenter point, thereby defining a swivel axis; and wherein the elasticelements, after assembly of the translatory displaceable component partwith the entrainment device, still retain sufficient deformability sothat a predefined damping effect can be achieved through swivel movementabout the swivel axis.
 13. The device in claim 12 further comprising atranslatory displaceable component part,wherein the drive devicecomprises an axis and fixing elements; and wherein the translatorydisplaceable component part has several recesses or passages forreceiving the axis and fixing elements of the drive device.
 14. Deviceaccording to claim 13, wherein the drive device further comprises agearing housing, the gearing housing comprising:a swivel axis; anaxially extending ring collar, wherein the ring collar comprises aswivel axis; and fixing and damping elements, wherein the fixing anddamping elements are radially spaced and set outside of the swivel axisof the ring collar and gearing housing.
 15. Device according to claim 14wherein the fixing elements of the gearing housing and the recesses orpassages of the translatory displaceable component part for receivingthe fixing elements are matched geometrically to each other.
 16. Deviceaccording to claim 15, wherein the recesses of the translatorydisplaceable component part comprise a diameter, and wherein the fixingelements comprise:bolts with cap shaped or ball shaped heads, whereinthe cap or ball shaped heads have a diameter; wherein the recesses ofthe translatory displaceable component part are radially aligned;wherein the diameter of the recesses corresponds to the diameter of thecap or ball shaped heads; wherein the cap shaped or ball shaped headscan be inserted into the radially aligned recesses by the turning of thedrive device; and wherein the drive device can be secured againstturning in the operating position by means of the damping elements. 17.Device according to claim 14, wherein the damping elements arepretensioned.
 18. Device according to claim 12 wherein the entrainmentdevice further comprises damping devices positioned on either side ofthe bore, each damping device comprising:fixing brackets; and rubberform elements, the rubber form elements being inserted into the fixingbrackets; wherein at least one damping device connects the translatorydisplaceable component part and the drive device; wherein the dampingdevices are provided on the lower edge of a window pane and are mountedwith keyed engagement into the fixing brackets which are connected tothe drive device with the rubber form elements.
 19. Device according toclaim 18 wherein the connecting part comprises a fixing bolt, the fixingbolt connected to or connectable with the drive device and fittedthrough the bore of the translatory displaceable component part. 20.Device according to claim 12 wherein the drive device furthercomprises:a drive motor; a drive worm with pinion; a gearing which hasthe drive worm connected to the motor shaft; a worm wheel; and twostepped gear wheels for a two-step gearing, wherein the two-step gearingconsists of the worm wheel meshing with the drive worm with pinion andgearwheel.
 21. Device according to claim 20, wherein the output of thedrive device is designed as a hollow shaft with form-locking elements sothat the drive device is connectable on both end sides with the pinionor a cable drum for driving the translatory displaceable component part.